A coup attempt in the Republic of Benin was swiftly foiled on Sunday, December 7, 2025, thanks to a joint military operation primarily involving the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), the Beninese army, and reportedly assisted by French forces. The incident began early Sunday morning with gunfire near the presidential residence in Cotonou, as a faction of the military announced a takeover, led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, who briefly declared himself head of a self-styled “Military Committee for Refoundation” on national television, suspending the constitution and dissolving President Patrice Talon's administration.

The loyalist Beninese forces, supported by Nigeria, launched a rapid counter-response. The Nigerian Air Force deployed two military jets from Lagos, conducting precision airstrikes within Beninese airspace to neutralize fleeing hostile elements and prevent regrouping. Flight-tracking data showed three aircraft entering Benin's airspace from Nigeria, two of which returned to Lagos, while a third headed towards Kanji airbase. A French air force plane was also observed maintaining a circular pattern over Cotonou, though French diplomats denied initial reports of President Talon seeking refuge at their embassy.

Benin's Interior Minister, Alassane Seidou, confirmed in a televised address that the attempted coup had been foiled and loyalist soldiers had retained control, with President Talon reported to be in a safe location. However, reports of huge explosions and sporadic gunfire near Tignon Barracks, where some mutinous officers had allegedly barricaded themselves, suggested continued volatility throughout the day. Some rebel soldiers were reportedly seen stripping off uniforms and changing into civilian clothes to evade arrest, with Lt. Col. Tigri believed to be on the run.

The coup plotters justified their actions by citing President Talon’s alleged mismanagement, particularly the deteriorating security situation in northern Benin near the borders with insurgency-hit Niger and Burkina Faso. They also complained about the neglect of fallen soldiers' families, cuts in healthcare (including state-funded kidney dialysis), tax rises, and curbs on political activities. President Talon, 67, a close ally of the West, is scheduled to step down in 2026 after completing his second term.

Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commended the Nigerian armed forces for their gallantry and swift response, acting on two separate requests from the Government of Benin. The requests, conveyed via a Note Verbal from Benin’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, sought immediate Nigerian air support for surveillance and rapid intervention, as well as the deployment of Nigerian ground forces for missions approved by the Beninese Command authority. Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, confirmed that all requests were fulfilled, with Nigerian ground forces now in Benin. President Tinubu emphasized Nigeria's commitment to regional security, stating that the operations adhered to ECOWAS protocols and the ECOWAS Standby Force mandate.

The attempted coup, the sixth assault on democracy in the ECOWAS region since 2020, sparked widespread condemnation. The Nigerian government described it as a grave concern and a direct assault on democracy, calling it “unacceptable and retrogressive.” The ECOWAS Commission expressed dismay, strongly condemning the unconstitutional moves and saluting the Benin government's efforts. It pledged necessary support, including the deployment of the regional standby force, and ordered the immediate deployment of elements of its Standby Force to Benin, comprising troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Côte d'Ivoire, and Ghana.

The United Nations Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel, Mr. Leonardo Santos Simão, also condemned the power grab, welcoming the foiling of the coup and expressing solidarity with Benin's government and people. Stakeholders emphasized the importance of constitutional democracy and effective governance to prevent future coups. Constitutional lawyer Mike Ozekhome (SAN) argued that military coups have lost relevance, urging governments to respond to citizens' needs, deliver dividends of democracy, and uphold political pluralism. Security analysts like Sadeeq Abubakar blamed poor civilian governance for demoralizing citizens, warning that military incursions would continue without genuine constitutional democracy. Alli Hakeem suggested adapting democracy to suit each country's peculiarities, while Dr. Bello Ishaq highlighted bad governance, corruption, economic hardship, and the erosion of democratic institutions as root causes.

The Yoruba Union Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá warned President Tinubu that the failed coup in Benin should be a wake-up call to address the plight of Nigerians, cautioning that continued neglect and injustice could provoke public frustration and support for undemocratic alternatives. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also condemned the coup, expressing concern about the dangerous trend of military interference, especially around election times, and stressing that soldiers have no business outside their barracks.